Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande
I'm not doing well on my reading challenge. So far I've only read 4 books. BUT....I'm letting the words affect my life instead of just reading to finish the challenge. One thing I thought I'd do is review the books I've read so far and then when I've finished reading each book.
The 1st book I read was "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande. I read this one 1st because I knew we were having a conference at church based on this book and I wanted to know what the whole thing was about! I learned so much from this book about how to promote peace - at work, in church, my family, and most important in my self. Our 1st priority should be glorifying God!! He starts out explaining that in a conflict we need to be asking - How can I please and honor God in this situation? The 2nd thing we need to focus on is "getting the log out of our own eye". In other words search your heart for where you are contributing to the conflict before focusing on what the other person has done. Ask yourself "How can I show Jesus; work in my by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict?" Then we're to gently restore the relationship. As we remember God's mercy to us in our faults we can extend mercy, grace, and love to others instead of guilt, shame, and condemnation. This often involves speaking the truth in love - sharing where they have wronged you but admitting your own mistakes. In doing so you're coming before them with humility not judging them. Ask, "How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?" Lastly, we're to be reconciled. We're to be committed to restoring any damaged relationships. The question this time is "How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?" We're to forgive as God has forgiven us. In Matthew 18 there's the story of the servant who's forgiven a HUGE debt by the king, but refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him. We're often like this ourselves - we treat others' sins as greater than our sins against God.
Final analysis: GREAT book, very convicting
